Restaurants are now prohibited from offering certain items of plastic tableware, and hotels can no longer give away plastic toiletries and water in plastic bottles.

Transgressors face fines of up to $100,000, although the administration has stressed that it wants to effect changes in behaviour, rather than punish people.

The Chief Executive, John Lee, said the adaption phase had gone smoothly, and the government would consider a range of factors before moving on the next phase of the plastics ban, which will include takeaways.

However, the new rules have drawn mixed response from consumers, with some taking to social media to complain after finding out that some hotels had begun charging for items, including non-plastic ones. There's also been concern over the durability of paper straws provided in restaurants.

Are we ready for the next phase? And how can we strike a balance between protecting the environment and minimising the impact on customer experience?

After 9:45, we hear about Hong Kong's role as a wine trading centre, ahead of the Wine & Dine Festival.


9:05am-9:45am: Plastic ban grace period end

9:05am-9:45am: Dana Winograd, Co-Founder of Plastic Free Seas
9:05am-9:30am: Alvis Yip, Founder of eco-packaging business Supply Ching
9:30am-9:45am: Les Bailey, Managing Director of Ruby Tuesday


9:45am-10:00am: Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival

9:45am-10:00am: Apple Cheung, Vice President of the Hong Kong Wine Chamber of Commerce